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South Ayr Water Treatment Plant to be upgraded

Posted on21st Aug 2012

The South Ayr Water Treatment Plant will have new variable speed drive pumps installed as part of the Burdekin Shire Council water supply capital budget with Council providing $100,000 toward the project.

Burdekin Mayor Bill Lowis said the new pumps would help address issues with reverse flows and pressure fluctuations in the system.

“Council is also moving ahead with the recommendations of a report to remove iron and manganese from the water coming from the South Ayr Water Treatment Plant,” he said.

“We are moving forward with Stage 1 of the recommendations in efforts to stop the discolouration of the water.”

Stage 1 of the recommendations is to install a Sodium Hypochlorite dosing point upstream of the settlement tank inlet. Sodium Hypochlorite is used to oxidise iron and manganese in solution and the precipitate will settle in the tank and not be sent out in the supply.

Cr Lowis said the Burdekin Shire had advised the State Government of its wishes not to proceed with fluoridation of water supplies, but as yet Council had not been advised of the State’s decision.

“As a result Council has allocated $1.83 million for the fluoridation of Ayr, Home Hill and Brandon water supplies,” he said.

“While the capital cost of the project was being borne by the State Government, the ongoing operational costs would be met by council.

“We anticipate it will cost the shire about $150,000 a year to run a fluoridation program.”

Council will also replace the existing aerators at the Home Hill Water Tower.